Before I say what I'm going to say in regards to your question to Ty Webb.... I need to clarify something.
AirTran has been very VERY good to me in my life and career. My career and earning expectations have been FAR better than ANY other airline in the country had I started there versus AirTran using my DOH at AirTran. I am in my 6th calandar year at AirTran and I have earned a 6 figure salary for 3 of those years now. I have been a Captain on the B-717 and the B-737, I'm a ground school instructor in the training department, and I'm a new hire mentor for NPA (Union). This airline has offerred ALOT of fulfilling opportunities for me personally and professionally.
I cannot and do not regert anything about my desion to come to AirTran... it has been a home run for me and I am very happy here.
The maintenance here is outstanding.... and the operation is no different than 90% of ANY airline in the world. Every airline had operations problems, ours just seem to be really really surprisingly petty sometimes and it gets annoying.
AirTran could be a GREAT company.... unfortunately our management does not breed and nurture a corporate culture that allows us to be a GREAT company. This company could make numerous NO COST changes that would allow us to really become a great place to work from a HR stance.... but it hasn't happened and I do not see a shift in that culture. To effect that kind of change would involve alot a key personnel changes..... and those key personnel are doing a GREAT job at controllings costs and growing, and getting this airline successfully throught the worst downturn in airline history..... and focusing on the employees and good HR culture.... doesn't appear to be the top priority.
Now.... with all that said...... I would NEVER recommend a 6 year First Officer at Alaska Airlines to leave and come to AirTran. In my opinion it would be a step DOWN from where you are at. Alaska iis a MAJOR airline...... AirTran is a big regional airline that has Major statistics. That is not an insult to AirTran ..... its just a fact.